Sanford Health awarded $2.3 million NIH grant
Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sanford Health researcher, Kamesh Surendran, Ph.D., and his lab at Sanford Research, were recently awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding will support Dr. Surendran’s lab in studying kidney development and disease by determining the molecular basis by which diverse cell types of the kidney develop and are maintained.
The R01 grant, totaling $2,314,660, is for a project entitled “Molecular Regulators of Collecting Duct Remodeling.” The primary goal of this study is to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the conversion of principal cells to intercalated cells in the collecting duct of the kidney and their role in acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI).
“Our work explores the surprising phenomenon of mature kidney cells switching types which has profound implications for maintaining water and electrolyte balance,” Surendran said. “I often like to use the reference of comparing the functions of the different collecting duct cell types to that of firefighters and police officers. Each plays a crucial and distinct role in our community, but if too many individuals of one profession switch roles there will be insufficient emergency personnel to respond to certain emergencies. Similarly, the plasticity of the kidney collecting duct cell types can be problematic. This research will identify the molecular mechanisms driving the conversion of principal cells to intercalated cells in the kidney collecting duct.”
This project builds upon a surprising finding that mature cell types within the kidney collecting ducts can switch from one type to another. The research will examine how these kidney collecting duct cell type conversions are regulated and their role in maintaining water and ion balance.
For more information about Sanford Research, visit research.sanfordhealth.org.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the healthcare experience and providing access to world-class healthcare in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 60,000 employees and serves more than 2.5 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 60 hospitals, 315 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,900 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. Nearly 450 residents and fellows are trained each year through over 40 graduate medical education programs, with Sanford Health serving as the primary funding source for 75% of the programs. Sanford Health also includes 92 retail pharmacies, including Sanford and Lewis Drug pharmacies with locations in 6 states, and more than 300 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural healthcare across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
